"Someone…who was like a brother to Yukari?", Rikuo asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. Shinji first came to Toono roughly about 7 years ago. Akagappa-sama gladly welcomed him, since he was an extremely talented yokai. We all liked him as well. He was a friendly,kind-hearted, and humble youkai. Not to mention that his perfect techniques and strength. He got along easily with every each of us, especially Yukari.", Dohiko began his story.

"And?"

"Shinji often took Yukari on morning strolls. He always carried Yukari on his shoulder, and he took her to various places in the village. They get along pretty famously. I think the both of them really enjoyed their time together…I mean, they looked like a real siblings to me."

"Hmm…"

"I asked him once about why he liked Yukari so much, and he said it was because Yukari reminded him of his long deceased little sister. And I don't blame him or anything. It's so easy to get captivated by Yukari. And those peaceful days continued, until a certain incident occurred."

"What happened?"

"There was an intruder. The intruder was a youkai who could create a sea of flames in a blink of an eye, casting a powerful curse upon our village. But luckily, we were able to stop his actions. That youkai was executed. But, not before he casted a deadly curse on Shinji. After that incident, Shinji suffered from a severe illness. It was the effect of the curse, no doubt about it.", Dohiko continued.

"Because the curse could spread, Shinji was isolated inside a small shack on the top of the mountain. Very few people were allowed to see him. We tried to heal him in every way we could possibly think of, but we failed. And so, we were beginning to lose hope.", Dohiko pause for a second before continuing his story,

"However, unlike us, Yukari never lose her hope. She was certain that she could heal her 'brother' and lift the curse from Shinji. But Shinji knew that he didn't have much time to live. So, he began to act cold towards Yukari…", Dohiko said as he remembered the past…

Flashback

"Nee, Reira-neechan, do you think onii-chan will be happy if I bring these flowers to him?", little Yukari said as she pulled out a few lilies and showed them to Reira.

"Sure. He'd be delighted.", Reira said with a gentle smile.

"Then, I'll bring them to him now! Thanks, Reira-neechan!", Yukari said when she left Reira and entered Shinji's shack.

"Who told you to wander around and collect flowers for me? Get rid of them! Go!", Shinji said as he slapped Yukari's hands, causing the lilies to spread all over the tatami.

"Shinji! Don't be so mean to her! She tried so hard to collect those flowers just for you!", Reira said as she hugged Yukari.

"Well, I don't care! Now get that brat outta here before – cough,cough!"

"Shinji!"

"Onii-chan!", Yukari ran to Shinji's side. Tears were forming at the corner of her eyes.

"I'm fine – now, go! I never want to see your face ever again! COUGH, COUGH!"

This time, Shinji vomited blood out of his mouth.

"NO! I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ONII-CHAN!", Yukari cried out.

"Yukari…", Reira said as she watched them.

End of flashback

"…and that's how it was. Shinji passed away that year, during the winter. Even after his death, Yukari still hates him with all her heart. And up until now, I guess she still unable to forgive him. But I know that Shinji was acting like that merely because he was worried that he would have to leave Yukari by herself.", Dohiko ended his story.

"…I see. That was quite a depressing story, you know.", said Rikuo.

"Yeah. And when you first came to Toono, we could see how much you and Shinji are alike. And how Yukari might react."

"I feel sorry for that little girl.", Rikuo replied.

"Rikuo."

"Hmm?"

"Tonight, Yukari probably would come to you again. Please…help her to recover. Help her so that she could forgive Shinji. I beg of you.", Dohiko said as he bowed his head in front of Rikuo.

Rikuo was shocked, and all he could say was,

"I'll try, Dohiko…"

Later on that night, Tsurara came all the way from the Main House to take care of Rikuo, since he became really ill. Rikuo's body was burning, and he was suffocating. He started to feel dizzy and seeing hallucinations.

"Ugh…"

Tsurara stayed awake all night just to take care of Rikuo. She changed the towel, wiped away his sweat, and stayed by Rikuo's side. You could tell that she was extremely worried of her master.

"Young Master…please hold on a bit longer. It will get better soon…"

Suddenly, a light appeared behind Tsurara. She turned around and found Yukari was standing behind her.

"You are…Yukari, right?", Tsurara asked the zashiki warashi.

"Rikuo…is going to die soon.", Yukari said to Tsurara.

"Eh?"

"I hate onii-chan. I hate him so much…", Yukari said in bitterness.

"I – I like Rikuo-sama!", Tsurara said unconsciously. She immediately blushed after saying that.

"You…like him?", Yukari said in surprise, "…Yukari hates onii-chan. He was always…so mean…"

Then, Yukari began to recall her memories with Shinji.

"Yukari, I'll read you a book…"

"Onii-chan…was as mean as a demon!", Yukari cried out. She could no longer hold back her tears.

"Rikuo-sama…is a good boy!", Tsurara yelled back.

"Onii-chan…is suffering! Please don't die, onii-chan…!",Yukari remembered when she saw Shinji was vomiting blood.

"Ugh…", Rikuo started to wake up upon hearing the noise. He could see someone crying beside his bed.

"Yukari…why are you crying?", Rikuo asked softly.

"Don't cry, Yukari. Here, wipe away your tears…"

"Onii-chan…I'm so sorry…!", Yukari said as more tears came rolling down on her face.

Rikuo, who was confused, just smiled gently. He pulled out his arm and patted Yukari's head lightly.

Yukari was shocked by Rikuo's actions. She then placed her hands on her head and said with a smile,

"Onii-chan…really loves me. He thinks I'm a good girl…!"

She then disappeared, leaving both Rikuo and Tsurara alone. Tsurara could only stared at her master in confusion as she saw a gentle smile appeared on Rikuo's face…

The next day, Rikuo felt so much better. He felt as if he was never sick. So, he decided to take a walk, wandering around the village together with Tsurara.

When he reached the Training Arena, he found Dohiko and Amezo was sparring there. Itaku,Awashima and Reira was watching their fight nearby, along with Yukari. The zashiki warashi was standing behind Reira, hiding herself from view.

When Rikuo entered the arena, Yukari tilted her head, and their eyes met. She was stunned for a moment, before finally breaking a warm smile at Rikuo.

"Than you, Rikuo…Onii-chan."

-FIN-

At last, the story is finished! What do you think? Is it good enough to you?

I'll write a new story ASAP. Please be patient and enjoy my other stories in the meantime ;)

Let me know what you think. Reviews are most welcomed (if not most wanted).